Sarracenia

North American Pitcher Plant

Sarracenias are perennials and have stout branching rhizomes with wiry roots. The above picture is of Sarracenia Flava.

What is a Pitcher plant?

The Pitcher is a modified leaf which is formed into a tube like structure. The pitcher allures, catches and digests insects. A pitcher plant is a well known example of a carnivorous plant. Their habitats are bog, wet savannah and "pan-handle" areas of South Eastern USA and Canada. Pitcher plants can be up to 15-100cms in height and can be stood erect, decumbent, elongated or can be squat.

The Flower

Sarracenias usually start to flower in England from late April to around the end of June. The flowers remain in petal for a maximum of three weeks.

The colour of the flower can vary from almost white, through yellow and orange to a really deep red with endless intermediate shades particularly in the hybrids.